Flexible scanner resistant device emulating a banknote for protection of rfid cards

ABSTRACT

A device for protecting one or more credit or charge cards from radio frequency scanning is disclosed. The device comprises a rectangular-shaped planar element sized for fitting within the banknote slot of a personal carrying accessory, wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer, and wherein the device has a thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness substantially equal to paper.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The claimed subject matter disclosed broadly relates to the field of electronic commerce, and more particularly relates to the field of security as it relates to RFID cards used in electronic commerce.

BACKGROUND

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that uses radio waves to transfer data from an electronic tag, called an RFID tag or label, attached to an object, through a reader for the purpose of identifying and tracking the object. RFID technology has been used for many applications, including key entry cards, passports, road toll fee payments, identification cards, and cash transaction cards, such as credit and charge cards. RFID technology typically includes embedding a card or device with a microchip that stores certain information, such as passwords, identifiers, personal information or records of user transactions. The technology has become so popular, that many credit card issuers have started using RFID technology as a replacement for traditional magnetic strip credit cards.

Passive RFID tags (those without a battery) can be read if passed within close enough proximity to an RFID reader or scanner. It is not necessary to “show” the tag to the reader or scanner device, as with a bar code. In other words it does not require line of sight to “see” an RFID tag, the tag can be read inside a wallet, purse, case, carton, box or other container, and unlike barcodes, RFID tags can be read hundreds at a time. Some RFID tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.

RFID technology, however, has come with drawbacks. The private information stored on RFID cards are easier targets for potential identity thieves and “electronic pickpockets.” A potential identity thief or electronic pickpocket can use an RFID scanner to read the private information stored on an RFID card, even when it is stored in a wallet, purse or pocket. The potential thief needs only to hold a handheld RFID scanner in close proximity to the wallet or purse in order to read the private information contained in the RFID card. This has caused concern in the financial and security industries.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,578,982 to Cohen discloses a device for protecting one or more credit or charge cards from radio frequency scanning. The disclosed device comprises a planar element sized for fitting within a card slot of a personal carrying accessory, wherein the planar element is composed of an uncharged, conductive material and wherein the planar element inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals. But the device of U.S. Pat. No. 8,578,982 is rigid and does not allow for easy flexing or bending of the device. This limits the use of the device and lowers consumers' desires to utilize the device.

Consequently, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above, and particularly for a more efficient way of protecting the data on RFID cards.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Briefly, according to an embodiment, a device for protecting one or more credit or charge cards from radio frequency scanning is disclosed. The device comprises a rectangular-shaped planar element sized for fitting within the banknote slot of a personal carrying accessory, wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer, and wherein the device has a thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness substantially equal to paper.

In another embodiment, method for preventing radio frequency scanning of a card is disclosed. The method includes placing a first rectangular-shaped planar element within a banknote slot of a personal carrying case such that the first planar element is located substantially around one or more cards within the personal carrying case, wherein the planar element is sized for fitting within a banknote slot of the personal carrying case, wherein the planar element is substantially from about 7 and ¾ inches in length, to about 2 and ⅞ in width, and wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer.

In another embodiment, system for preventing radio frequency scanning of a card is disclosed. The system includes a personal carrying case comprising a plurality of card slots for inserting cards and a banknote slot for inserting banknotes; at least one card including information that may be scanned via a radio frequency scanner, wherein said at least one card is inserted into the plurality of card slots; and a rectangular-shaped planar element sized for fitting within the banknote slot of the personal carrying accessory, wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer, and wherein the device has a thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness substantially equal to paper.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the claimed subject matter, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The claimed subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and also the advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system that provides a scanner resistant device or devices for RFID cards, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a spatial configuration for using the scanner resistant device or devices for RFID cards, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an additional spatial configuration for using the scanner resistant device or devices for RFID cards, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a first wallet in which the scanner resistant device or devices for RFID cards may be used, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a second wallet in which the scanner resistant device or devices for RFID cards may be used, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the various layers of the scanner resistant device comprising an interior metal layer laminated on both sides with a separate plastic layer, wherein at least one plastic layer shows printed information on an outward facing side, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustration showing the method of placing one or more scanner resistant devices in a personal carrying case, so as to inhibit RFID scanning of RFID cards in the personal carrying case, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The claimed subject matter solves the problems with the prior art by providing a small, inexpensive and lightweight device that prevents surreptitious scanning of RFID cards and that can be placed within an existing personal carrying case, such as a wallet, purse, handbag, holder or other type of carrying device. RFID cards that may be protected include credit cards, charge cards, identification cards, security tokens, pass cards, entry cards, passports, badges, etc. The claimed subject matter is advantageous since it allows for the use of existing personal carrying cases and does not require the purchase of new carrying cases that prevent scanning. The claimed subject matter is further advantageous since it is manufactured from lightweight, durable material that remains effective for extended periods of time. Also, the claimed subject matter is advantageous since it allows for easy flexing or bending of the device. This increases the utility of the device.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system that provides scanner resistant devices 102, 104 for RFID cards 110, 112 and 114, according to one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a side view, which shows scanner resistant devices 102, 104 surrounding RFID cards 110, 112 and 114, so as to prevent the scanner 100 from scanning the data present in the RFID cards 110, 112 and 114 due to the conductive material of scanner resistant devices 102, 104.

Each of the devices 102, 104, also called a “blocker device,” prevents the transmission of radio frequency signals through its surface. Each blocker device may be composed of an uncharged, conductive material, such as a dielectric metal or metal alloy. Alternative materials for each blocker device include aluminum, steel, iron, tin, copper, chromium, nickel, brass and stainless steel. In another alternative, the blocker devices are composed of a metallic foil material layer, such as aluminum foil, that is laminated or covered on both sides with a layer of plastic material, such as PVC or ABS plastic. A laminate is a material that can be constructed by uniting two or more layers of material together. The process of creating a laminate is lamination, which in common parlance refers to the placing of something between layers of plastic and gluing them with heat and/or pressure, usually with an adhesive. The laminating process may be pouch lamination or heated roll lamination. In one embodiment, each blocker device includes printed information, such as advertising, logos, artwork, promotional materials or contact information, on at least one of its surfaces.

In one embodiment, each blocker device may be manufactured using a stamping process. Stamping includes a variety of sheet-metal forming manufacturing processes, such as punching using a machine press or stamping press, blanking, embossing, bending, flanging, and coining. This could be a single stage operation where every stroke of the press produce the desired form on the sheet metal part, or could occur through a series of stages. The process is usually carried out on sheet metal, but can also be used on other materials, such as polystyrene.

The scanner 100 utilizes radio frequency signals to send and receive data to and from RFID cards during the scanning process. When those signals cannot be transmitted to or from the RFID cards 110, 112 and 114, the RFID cards cannot be scanned. The mechanism that prevents transmission of radio frequency signals through the material of the blocker devices 102, 104 is Gauss' law, which mandates that a conducting sphere does not allow electrical fields to be propagated into or out of the sphere. Surrounding, or partially surrounding, the RFID cards 110, 112 and 114 with the conducting material of the blocker devices 102, 104 has the same or similar effect as surrounding the RFID cards with a conducting sphere, i.e., radio frequency signals cannot be transmitted through the blocker devices, thereby preventing scanning of the RFID cards by a scanner 100.

Preferably, the size of each blocker device 102, 104 is substantially the size of a U.S. currency banknote, which is substantially 2 and ⅞ inch, by 7 and ¾ inch. Preferably, the size of each blocker device 102, 104 is substantially a size that allows for insertion into a banknote slot or pocket, such as the pockets 406 found in wallet 400 (see FIG. 4) and pockets 506 found in wallet 500 (see FIG. 5).

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a spatial configuration for using the blocker device 102 for RFID cards 110, 112, according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a frontal view, which shows the blocker device 102 in front of (or behind) the RFID cards 110, 112, so as to prevent scanning of the RFID cards by a scanner 100. Note that although the figures show one blocker device in front of (or behind) a stack of two or three RFID cards, the claimed subject matter supports the use of more than one blocker devices to prevent the scanning of one, two or more RFID cards.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of another spatial configuration for using the scanner resistant device 102 for blocking access to RFID cards 110, 112, according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a configuration where a set of rectangular cards stacked together and lying on their longest side, wherein the height of the cards is staggered one behind the other. Blocker device 102 surrounds the stack of cards, when the RFID cards 110, 112 and the device 102 are placed in a standard wallet or billfold, wherein the banknote pouch curves around credit card sized pouches, at the time the wallet or billfold is folded upon itself (as shown with regard to FIGS. 4 and 5 below). The placement of the RFID cards between the folded blocker device prevents scanning of the information on the RFID cards.

The configuration of FIG. 3 represents the relative position of the items 102, 110, 112 when used in a wallet such as wallet 400 (see FIG. 4) wherein the cards 110, 112 are placed in pockets 402 of the wallet and device 102 is placed in banknote slot 406. Note that pockets 402 comprise card slots that allow rectangular cards to be inserted lying on their longest side, wherein the height of the cards in the pockets 402 is staggered one behind the other to allow for easy access by the user. Note that pockets 406 comprise banknote slots that allow rectangular banknotes to be inserted lying on their longest side, to allow for easy access by the user. Additionally, the configuration of FIG. 3 represents the relative position of the items 102, 110, 112 when used in a wallet such as wallet 500 (see FIG. 5) wherein the cards 110, 112 are placed in pockets 502 of the wallet and device 102 is placed in banknote slots 506. Note that pockets 502 also comprise card slots that allow rectangular cards to be inserted lying on their longest side, wherein the height of the cards in the pockets 502 is staggered one behind the other to allow for easy access by the user. And note that pockets 506 comprise banknote slots that allow rectangular banknotes to be inserted lying on their longest side, to allow for easy access by the user.

Experimental results from testing of the claimed subject matter are hereby provided. Testing occurred in August 2011 on a blocker device substantially the size of a credit card, i.e., 3 and ⅜ inch, by 2 and ⅛ inch by 0.02 inch. A commercially available RFID scanner operating at 13.56 MHz was used at a distance of 50 mm from the blocker device. In each test, a different configuration of blocker devices together with RFID cards in a wallet was used (see FIG. 3). All of the following configurations resulted in no reading of any data from any of the RFID cards in the configuration: 1) a single blocker device in front of a single RFID card in a set of pockets similar to pockets 402 in a wallet similar to wallet 400 (see FIG. 4); 2) a configuration similar to configuration 304, wherein blocker devices were placed on either end of a stack of cards including one or two RFID cards in a set of pockets similar to pockets 504 in a wallet similar to wallet 500 (see FIG. 5); 3) a configuration similar to configuration 302, wherein blocker devices were placed on either end of a stack of cards include one or two RFID cards in a set of pockets similar to pockets 402 in a wallet similar to wallet 400 (see FIG. 4); 4) a configuration similar to configuration 304, wherein blocker devices were placed on either end of a stack of cards including one or two RFID cards, and wherein a third blocker device was inserted in the middle of the pack of cards, wherein the entire set of blocker devices and RFID cards was placed in a set of pockets similar to pockets 504 in a wallet similar to wallet 500.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the various layers of the scanner resistant device 102 comprising an interior metal layer laminated on both sides with a separate plastic layer, wherein at least one plastic layer exhibits printed information on an outward facing side, according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the various layers in a disassembled fashion.

FIG. 6 shows the device 102 comprises a rectangular-shaped planar element sized for fitting within the banknote slot of the personal carrying accessory. The device 102 is composed of a top layer 612 of plastic material having an interior surface 602 including printed information, a middle layer 614 of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer 616 of plastic material having an interior surface 602 including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer, and wherein the device 102 has a thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness substantially equal to paper.

The middle layer may be dielectric material, a metal alloy, laminated metal, any one of tin, copper, nickel, chromium, or stainless steel, or a layer of uncharged conductive material. In one embodiment, the middle layer 614 is aluminum foil. The top and bottom layers may be PVC plastic, and/or include a clear oriented polyester film. The entire device 102 (when assembled) may be substantially 2 and ⅞ inch, by 7 and ¾ inch. The entire device 102 (when assembled) may exhibit a bending stiffness substantially equal to standard copy or print paper. Stiffness is the rigidity of an object—the extent to which it resists deformation in response to an applied force. The stiffness, k, of a body is a measure of the resistance offered by an elastic body to deformation. For an elastic body with a single degree of freedom, the stiffness is defined as k=F/δ, where, F is the force applied on the body, and δ is the displacement produced by the force along the same degree of freedom. In the International System of Units, stiffness is typically measured in Newtons per meter. In Imperial units, stiffness is typically measured in pounds (lbs) per inch. Flexibility of device 102 is advantageous since it allows for easy flexing or bending of the device. This increases the utility of the device 102.

The dimensions of the device 102 is not limited to any particular length and width. Some wallets or personal carrying cases may need larger or smaller sizes of the device 102 to fit into the money or banknote pocket. Note there are many different designs and sizes of men's and women's wallets and personal carrying cases in the market. Thus, the dimensions of device 102 may be adjusted to fit all wallet or personal carrying case sizes. Note that the size and design of women's wallets, for example, may be different from men's wallets, which can be a bi-fold or tri-fold design. Thus, in one embodiment, in order to accommodate women's wallets, the length of device 102 is about 1 inch shorter than the standard size for men's wallet. Also, two devices 102 may be used in a woman's wallet instead of one, in order to cover all credit cards on both sides as shown in FIG. 1. Also, in one embodiment, the thickness of device 102 is about 0.35 mm. In cases where the lamination and printing process allow for thinner and softer PVC or plastic material, the device 102 can be thinner than 0.35 mm. In one embodiment, a preferred plastic material for layers 612, 616 is soft PVC, as it is as flexible as paper or a banknote.

FIG. 7 is an illustration showing the method of placing one or more scanner resistant devices in a personal carrying case, so as to inhibit RFID scanning of RFID cards in the personal carrying case, according to one embodiment. In a first step 702, RFID cards 110, 112 are placed in credit card sized card slots (402, 502) of personal carrying case (400, 500). In step 704, scanner resistant device 102 placed in banknote sized slots (406, 506) of personal carrying case (400, 500), which is then folded, such that one or more RFID cards are located between the scanner resistant card (see configuration of FIG. 3).

Although specific embodiments have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. The scope of the claimed subject matter is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the claimed subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for preventing radio frequency scanning of a card, comprising: a rectangular-shaped planar element sized for fitting within a banknote slot of a personal carrying accessory, wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer, and wherein the device has a thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness substantially equal to paper.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the size of the planar element is substantially 2 and ⅞ inch, by 7 and ¾ inch.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the middle layer comprises a dielectric material.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the middle layer comprises a metal alloy.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the middle layer comprises a laminated metal.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the middle layer comprises any one of tin, copper, nickel, chromium, or stainless steel.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the plastic material comprises PVC plastic.
 8. The device of claim 2, wherein the middle layer comprises a layer of uncharged conductive material that is disposed between the top and bottom layers.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the top layer comprises a clear oriented polyester film.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the bottom layer comprises a clear oriented polyester film.
 11. A method for preventing radio frequency scanning of a card, comprising: placing a first rectangular-shaped planar element within a banknote slot of a personal carrying case such that the first planar element is located substantially around one or more cards within the personal carrying case, wherein the planar element is sized for fitting within a banknote slot of the personal carrying case, wherein the planar element is substantially from about 7 and ¾ inches in length, to about 2 and ⅞ in width, and wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the middle layer comprises a dielectric material.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the middle layer comprises a metal alloy.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the middle layer comprises a laminated metal.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the middle layer comprises any one of tin, copper, nickel, chromium, or stainless steel.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plastic material comprises PVC plastic.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the top layer comprises a clear oriented polyester film.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bottom layer comprises a clear oriented polyester film.
 19. A system for preventing radio frequency scanning of a card, comprising: a personal carrying case comprising a plurality of card slots for inserting cards and a banknote slot for inserting banknotes; at least one card including information that may be scanned via a radio frequency scanner, wherein said at least one card is inserted into the plurality of card slots; a rectangular-shaped planar element sized for fitting within the banknote slot of the personal carrying accessory, wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer, and wherein the device has a thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness substantially equal to paper.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one card is substantially surrounded by the rectangular-shaped planar element within the personal carrying case. 